And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14. 

Do we truly consider how very personal this psalm, Psalm 23, is to us in our times of need? When we go through a dark valley where we can’t see and where a grayness presses in all around us – blinding us to the soft light of God’s Presence. Maybe that’s why our hearts lift when gladness returns. We feel the weight pressing in and the lifting of it allows our hearts the room expand as God’s loving light lifts away the dark. We are never alone. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. v. 1, 2, 3. He does that! I remember as a child laying on the fresh, green grass looking up at the beautiful blue skies studded with white clouds moving gently overhead. I was so aware of the beauty of that perfect moment that it remains with me still. How we long for that peacefulness. And it’s good to remember that when there are times we are blinded by darkness, not of the eyes, but of the soul hurting. There is no darkness for God. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. v. 4. We may not know the way forward but God sees everything clearly. There is such comfort in that. I can’t see forward but He knows my every day. I can’t remember clearly but I know His Presence comforting me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. v. 5. What are my enemies? Doubt, fear, despair. They will all fall away in His Presence to be no more. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. v. 6. Everything is in Creator God’s hands. You, me…everyone. Be gathered into His love for you because He cares for you. Sit in quiet with Him and let the warmth of His love touch you just as surely as the warmth of that perfect, beautiful day surrounded me and I was able to see the beauty that was there…real and touchable. With our Shepherd, we are able to see. Sometimes, all we are able to see is darkness. Gather in to the closeness of the light of His Love. The children of Israel had the Light of His Presence in that fire by night. He knew they needed that physical reminder He was with them. So do we. Today we have the Light of His Presence within us. And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Isaiah 60:19. Our Shepherd. Thank You, Lord!